Rotary explosive-engine.



No. 883,363. 1 PATENTED MAR. 31, 1908. J. G. WALKER.

ROTARY EXPL'OSIVB ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. 1907.

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q vi 'bneooao PATENTED MAR. 31, 1908.

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J. 0. WALKER. "ROTARY BXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1907 mom L430 Ki W5 uki 1409mm No. 883,363. PATENTED MAR. a1, 1908@ Y J. u. WALKER. ROTARY BXPLOSIVEEN'GINE.

APPLICATION FILED mu 12(1907.

48EEETBr-SHEET a.

uli/enemas tatabl mounted pistons 12 having heads 13 located across the piston chambers, and are -'tion of an engine with in elevation,

UNITED-STATES ROTARY ExPLOSIVE-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concerns.

Be it known that LJati'ns C. WALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at- \Va'co, in the county of McLennan and State of Texas, have invented'a new and Rotary Explosive-Engine, of lowingis a specification.

The present'inventibn relates to explosive engines, and the primary object is to provide a rotary engine with novel and efficient means for producing an explosive mixture, introducing charges of the same into the engine, exploding said charges, and utilizing the exhaust gases inorder to avoid waste bf power and heat.

The referred embodiment of the invention is i lustrated in the accompanying draws mgs, wherein:-

Figure 1 is an end view of'the upper orparts illustrate in section. Fig. 2 is a'sectlonal view substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through one of the cylinder members. Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the charge introducing mechanism, and showing. ortions of the cylinders also ilustrating one of the abutmento erating mechanisms in section. Fig. 5 is a etail sectional view through the governing means. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional 'view' on the line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Fig; 8 is a sectional view through the carburetor employed. Fig. 9 is a detail sec tional view of the tri for one of the supply controlling valves. "Fig. 10 is adetail sectional view through the circuit closing device.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings. I

In the embodiment illustrated, a pair of cylinder members 9 are employedhaving pis ton chambers 10 therein, and casings .11 mounted thereon. In thecylinders are roprovi ed'in their rear sides with'recess'ed seats 14. In these seats are fitted dished plates 15 formed of steeldisks radially slotted, asshown at"1.6 to provide wings which are overlapped. The plates or blades arefastened to the heads by suitable bolts 17 .1

Recipro'c'at'ory abutments 18 are normally '11 to permit themovabieinto the ca' slrigs p p So far as this passage of the piston heads.

PATENT OFFICE Janus o. WALKER, OF WACO, TEXAS. Specification of Letters Patent.

llpplication filed. Jime12, 1907... Serial No. 378,567."

useful which the -fol- 3 portion of the reservoir "between the plates rollers 50 that operate on the- Patented March 1 I described, no claim is made tofthe areas in this application.

The pistons 12 .51% mounted on a shaft 19 that extends through the cylinder members and bridges the space between them. .At one end this shaft is provided with a which -a air of other beveled gears 21 are alternately movable into and out of (readies. The gear wheels 21 are carried by a sleeve 22 that is feathered upon a driving shaft23fl Located between the cylinder membe'i sare pumps comprising cylinders 24 in which operate reciprocatory pistons 25 having valve controlled orts 26 therein. Conduits 27, lead fr'om't e upper ends of the cylinders 24 to thgg linder members 9 in rear of the abutinentsf' Asupply chamber 28,- looated below the cylinders 24, .hasports 29-co'mmunieating with the lower ends thereof, seaports being controlled by inwardly opening valves 30. A supply conduit 31 discharges through "a port 32 into the chamber 28" and this con duit 31 leads from a carbureter, {shown in section in Fig. 8, and designated as a whole' the reference numeral 33. 1

as disclosed, consists of a The carbureter, casing 34, within 35 spaced from the walls of said casing and having a plurality of perforate partitions 36 extending across it. the upperportion of beveled gear wheel 2 0,..w1th

which depends a-reservoir the casing are a plurality of battle plates 37.

Another casing 38 is located alongside-the casing 34, and has a perforate lower endf 3 9z In the casing 38 is located suitable filterin material 40. Two pipes, designated 41 an 42, are connected to the upper end of the casing38,

35, the other being coiled about the same Within the casing 34 and communicating with the bottom .of'the reservoir, as shown at 43. valves 44'and 45 are located in the pipe/e 41 and 42, and an exhaust pipe 46 commune "cates withthe upper end of the casing 84." 1

I The means for operating the pistons 25 of the supply the shaft .19 between the cylinder members 9. These cams operate between guide plates 48, and piston rods 49, connected to the'pistons 25, have their lower ends also extending 48, said lower ends being provided. with peripheries ofthe cams 47. The'suppl'yof motive fluid from the carbureter through the conduit'31 to the supply chamber 2-8 is-manpumps consist of earns 47 fixedto one communicating with the upper Controlling many controlled by a suitable throttle valve that cooperates with the port 32, and has a stem 55 connected to the rotating head 56 of a centrifugal governor, the weighted arms 57 of which have link connections 58 with said head. The said arms are mounted. on a revolving shaft 59 having a gear connection 60 trally to the engine shaft 19.

2c der members 69 that are fulcrumed between their ends, as

movement of ri tail in Fig. 9.

with a crauk 61. This crank h a pitman 62 connected thereto, end of said pitman is connected to a ring easing 63 that surrounds a cam 64 secured cen- Rollers 65, located within the ring casing, operate against the cam.

The supply of motive fluid from the pumps 24-24 through the conduits 27 to the cylin- 9 is controlled by reciprocating valves 66 operating in casings 67 and movable across said conduits. The valves are provided ith depending stems 68 connected at their lower ends to the outer ends of levers as one end of and the other shown at 7 0. Ti e valves are normally held in closed positio/hs,

ori other yvords, across lugs 71. The inner the conduits 27 by are isposed in the paths of ends of the leve that are 'adjusta ly mounted on the cpiston rods'49, and are held in their adjuste posiscrews 74. The structure of the trips and collars is shown in -de The igniters, designated as a whole by the reference numeral 75, are preferably, though not necessarily of the jump spark type, and are located in the conduits 27. They are in- 0 cluded in circuits 76, which also include most position spark coils 77 and sources of electrical energy, shown. diagrammatically at 78. One

of the leads of 79, and is connected to a stationar contact Another lead in said circuit, in'like manner enters the casing 79, and is in like manner connected to another contact 81.

A circuit closing'plate 82, slidably mounted in the casing, is normally held inits lowerby a spring 83 connected thereto, and when in said lowermost position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10, the plate is out of engagement with the contact 80. A stem 84, connected to the closure plate 82 projects downwardly through the cylinder c and between the cylim has its lower end lead on which the 'casing 79 is located, and disposed in the path of movement of the piston 25.

Arranged at the rear ortion of the engine liar members 9 is an 11.1! pump comprising a cylinder 86 in which operates a reciprocatory piston 87 havinga valve port 8h therein. .K piston rod 89 extends from the'piston 87, and is connected 5 to the busing ring as that is operated by the governed by a valve 54 s 72 pivoted to collars 73- each'circuit 76 enters a casing -hpwever, by

117 connectedby {a valve stem 118. The.

cam'64. Avalve controlled discharge pipe 90 leads from the cylinder 86 to an air reservoir-9'1 that is preferably provided "with a gage"92 and a safety valve 93. A pipe 95 leads from the reservoir 91, and is controlled by an inwardly opening valve 96. This pipe contains a manually o and has branches 98 ceding to the cylinder branches 98 have controlling valves 98 in them. Branches 99, containing valves 100 communicate with the conduits 27 directly above the sparking devices 73. A drain 107. A pipe 108 leads. from one of the exhausts as 106, and is connected as shown in Fig. 8 to the lower end of the casing 46 that I surrounds the hydrocarbon receiver 35. A conduit 1.09 leads from each of the other exhausts 107 to mounted on each cylinder member 9 in front of the abutment casing 11. The construc-v tion and arrangement of the parts about to be described will be seen partlcularly on the left hand cylinder 9 of Fig. 4. served that the cylinder 110'contains a reciprocatory piston 111' provided with a rod 112 that rojects through the u per end of the cylindbr 110, and has an o setportion 113 connected to aguide wheel'114 operating in the guideway115. municates directly with the lower end of the cylinder 110, and also has/a branch 116 that communicates with the upper end of the cylinder. This communication is controlled, a pair of, reciprocating valves valves are so arranged that when one is opened, the other is closed. Thev stem 118 has a link connection 119 with-a lever 120 fu lc urned between its ends u on the u end of the cylinder, and the ot er end 0' the lever pas a link connection 121 with.a nother valve stem 122 that coi'iperates withoppositely operating valves 123 controlling exhausts 124 at the upper and lower ends of the cylinder. The valves are moved in one direction bya spring 125 that bears against one art-n of the lever 120, but said lever is adapted to be moved against the action of the spring by the piston 111, which engages a stem 126 depending from the lever into the cylinder. The roller members 9 in rear of the abutments 18. The

the lower end of a cylinder 1,10,

114, as shown par-- erated globe valve 97,

pipe 101 leads from the bottom ofeach cylas shown in Fig. 4 with two exhausts 1 06 and I It will be ob- The pipe 109 comper t ticularly in Fig. 3, is journaled on the u per both cylinder end of a rod 127.projecting from the a ut- 1118M; casing 11 and connected to the upper end of the abutment;

Fig. 2 is connectedto one arm 129 of asuhstantially Y -shaped tion thereof, a guide roller 135 operating in a It will be understood that members are provided with corresponding mechanism oi the above charguideway 136.

. acter.

The operation of the enginemay be briefly outlined as iollows. Assuming the p ston members and shaft 19 being revolved, it will draft through be evident that the pistons will be in alternate reciprocation within, the cylinders 24. As one of the pistons is elevated, it will draw a charge into its cylinder 24 from the supply'chamber 28. This will cause an inthe supply pipe 31, and referring to Fig. 8 it will beevident that when the draft takes place, air will be drawn inwardly through the perforate bottom 39 of the filter casing 38, a portion of such air passing through the conduit 42, and another portion passing through the conduit 41, these proportions being readily varied by means of the valves 44 and 45. The air, which passes through. the pipe 32, will enter the bottom 01 the reservoir, and passing through the hydrocarbon therein, will carry 0d some of the vapor, thence mixing with the inrushing air that enters through the pipe 41, will pass through the pipe 31 into the chamber 28. Upon the descent of the piston 25, the charge below it will pass through the port 26, and thus be. in the cylinder above the piston. As said piston is again elevated, the charge will be compressed until the trip 72 engaging the lever 69 will swing said lever, and open I the valve 66. With the valve thus opened,

the charge will rush into the conduit 27, and

asthe trip 72 passes the lever, the spring 71 will act to reclose the valve. the valve 66Eloses, the piston 25 which has engaged the stem 84 of the closure plate 82 will rave raised said plate sufliciently to In explanation of, this,'it will be. seen tlattfis e 7 the cam 64. is revolyed by the shaft 1 A link 128, shown in lever 130, mounted be tween the guide plates 131 and having its other arm 132 provided with a roller 133-that operates against therperiphery of a cam 134 3 The stem 128 "prefby raising the abutment.

At the instantring casing 65 will be raised and lowered. This effects a corresponding movement of the stem 62, which operates on the crank61 and will revolve the gear 60. As a result,

the shaft 59 carrying the'governor- 57 will be revolved, and the weighted-arms being moved out more *or less lay-centrifugal force, will cause the movein'ent ct he ste n 55am! consequently of the valve i When the exhaust takes place, thereof will flow through the pi e 108 of the casing 34 that surrounds the ydrocarbon reservoir, thereby keeping the same and the coiled portion of the pipe 42 heated. The remainder (if-said exhaust enters the pipe 109. Now it will be understood that,--this exhaust takes place: ju's prior to" the time the piston head reafches -the liloutrirent- 18.- exhaust of course L will aerieve the :pr ssure within the piston chamber,andconsequently against the abutment 18 and the exploded gases under pressure-- will pass into" the cylinder 110 beneath the piston 111. The result is that lntSYI1lIlClf1 &S the port 124 is closed, the piston 11 1 will be elevated, there However, the exthe a portion haust is not dependedrupon entir movement of the, alji'it-rjirent'ffiis th will simultane'eusly ope i aitd to ai 130, and thereh u ie linmas nected to said abutment; As t reaches the limit of its up-stroke,;it will en gage the lower end of the stem 126, thereby swinging the lever 120 against the action. of the spring 125 and reversing the valve mechanism so that the cylinder 110 will now exhaustbelowthe pistonzthrough the port '124, and the remnant of the gases delivered through the pipe 109at port 117 will return the piston te" f its lowermost position. -*By this time, tlIS 'PlSt'OH gliead of course has passed the abutment lgf 'and d spensers in position for a repetition of the cycle or Operations above described.

During the operation piston 87 of air pump will be in action, and will be forcing air into the reservoir 91. A part of this air is delivered through the ranches 99 into the conduits 27, and this air performsa:three fold function, part mixes with th eharge -at" the time "of" the explosion, partscavenges the conduits after the explosion, and part assists dn cooling the sparking devices and cylinders. The branches 98 are employed in starting the engine, for air is maintained under pressure at all times in the reservoir 91, and when the engine is at a standstill, all that is necessary to start the engine is to open valves QS 'and be apparent to those skilled in the art, with- 01 the engine, the

The

ins

iie

thus introduce air through the branches 98 stood that out further description, and it will be undervarious changes in the size, shape, prop0rtion,-and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages the combination with a 0 character set forth, linder member, of

' a cylinder located alongside the same, a romember, a valve tary iston member operating in the cylinder member, and a piston operating in the cylinder, a conduit leading from the cylinderinto' thecylinder member and disposed transversely of both, a valve operating across the conduit transversely thereof and longitudinally of the cylinder, means for periodically operating the valve, means for supplying an explosive mixture to the cylinder," and ignition mechanism located in the conduit between the valve and cylinder member. a

2. In an engine of the character setforth, the combination with a cylinder located alongside the same, a rotary iston member operating in the cylinder er and a reciprocatory piston operating in the cylinder and having a piston rod projecting therefrom, a conduit leading from the cylinder to the posed transversely valve operatin versely thereo and longitudinally of the cylinder, means movable longitudinally of the piston rod and'operated thereby for periodically operating said valve, and means for suppl inder.

3 In an engine of the character set forth, the combination with a cylinder member and a rotary piston member operatingtherein, of a compression pump including a piston, a conduit connecting the pump and cylinder of both, a reciprocatory and actuating means for the valve including a. movable device connected thereto and a trip pivotally connected to the piston and movable past the device, said trlp engagin said device and having its movement hmite in one direction with respect to the piston. I 4. In any engine of the character set forth, the combination with a cylinder member and a rotary piston member operating therein, of a compression pump including a reciprocatory piston and piston rod, a conduit leading from the pump to the cylinder member, a reciprocatory valve operating in the conduit and having a stem, a lever fulcrumed between its ends and connected to the stem, and a trip pivotally mounted on the piston rod and movable past the lever, said lever being'disposed in the path of movement of the trip, and said trip having its pivotal movea cylinder member, of

cylinder member and dis-.

across the conduit transoperating the ying an explosive mixture to the cyloperating in the conduit,

charges from the chamber to 5. In an engine of the character set forth,

the combination with a cylinder member and a rotary piston member operating therein, of a compression pump delivering to the cylinder member and comprising a cylinder and a pistono crating in'the cylinder, anigniter for explo ing the charges delivered by the ump, and controlling means for the igniter aving a portion projecting-into the cy inder and into the path of movement of and operated by the piston.

6. In anengine of the character set forth, the combination. with a cylinder member,

and a piston operating therein, of a compression pump delivering to the cylinder member and comprising a cylinder, and a piston operating in the cylinder, an igniter for exploding the charges delivered by the pump, and controlling means for the igniter inclu ing a switch'and a reciprocatory stem secured to the movable member'of the switch and slidably extendin into the cylinder with its inner end disposed in the path of movement ofthe piston.

7. In an engine of the character set forth, the combination with a cylinder member and a piston member operating therein, of means for delivering charges to the cylinder member including a conduit, separate independently operating valves having'different paths of movement and each being movable to a position to completely close' the conduit,

manual means connected to'one valve for same, and a speed governor operated by the engine and connected to the other valve for operating it= 8. In an engine of the character set forth, the combination with a cylinder member and a piston member operating therein, of

member including aconduit, separate independently operating reciprocatory valves controlling the conduit and havin angularly disposed paths of. movement am? angularly disposed stems, manualoperating means connected to one of the stems, and a speed governor operated by the engine and connected to the other stem.

9. In an engine of the character set forth,

the-combination with-a cylinder member andv a rotary piston operating therein, 'of a carbureter, a supplv chamber havin a connection with the carbureter, means or conveying the cylinder member. separate reciprocatory valves con trolling the communication between the carbureter and supplygchamber and having angularly disposed paths of movement, manual means for operating one of the valves, anda speed governor operated by the englne and connectedto the other valve.

10. In an engihc of the character setforthf means for delivering charges to the cylinder the combination with a cylindejr member,v of

a rotary piston operating therein, a compression ump having communlcatlon with the the pump, a

mem er, avalve controlling said communication means for operating the valve upon the completion of the compression stroke of carbureter, a conduit connecting 'the carbureter and inlet of the pump, valves ll r lling the passage; of motive fluid gUHl -I k J .i i

la ,conduit,zanrl,,-,hav,ing separate ril ntin h o m vement P- er""t' can or moyin v,o napi the valves, 'afi d iiit i a governor con nected to the other valve for moving the same.

111. In an engine of the character set forth, thelcombination with a cylinder member, of

, a rotary piston operating therein, a pump neluding a cylinder and a reciprocatory piston in thee linder, a conduit connecting the l cylindermember, a onduit a spring for alye in closed posih i thsir p to p compression stroke of means actuated by s sntrel ns ncr'rdafiy holding e Q-J ar ar fii t agate-"ten nt said piston, an igniter,

' the piston on its movement for effecting the soareter and supply chamber,

and a piston member operating therein, of an abutment movably mounted in the cylinder member and cooperating with the piston member, and means operated by the exhaust from the cylinder member for moving the abutment out of the path of movement of the piston member.

13. In an engine of the character set forth, the combination with a cylinder member and a piston member operating therein, of a mov able abutment located in the cylinder mem-- her and cooperating with the piston member, another cylinder, a piston operating in the cylinder and connected to the abutmentfor moving it and means for leading the exhaust from the cylinder member to said cylinder.

14. In an engine of the character set forth. the combination with a cylinder member, of a rotary piston operating therein, a reciprocatory abutment cooperating with the piston, a cylinder mounted on the c linder member, a reciprocatory piston ocated therein and connected to the abutment, an exhaust-conduit leading from the'cylinder membersto the cylinder, valve mechanism controlling the passage of the exhaust to said supply an cylinder, and means for moving the valve mechanism.

15. In an engine'of the character set forth, the combination with a cylindermember, of a rotary piston member operating therein, a reciprocatory abutment cooperating with the iston member, a cylinder located on the cylinder member, a reciprocatory piston operating in the cylinder and connected to the abutment, a conduit for leading the exhaust from the c linder member to the cylinder, exhaust valves controlling the passage of the exhaust to the cylinder memer, and means for actuating the valves, said means comprising a lever connected to the valve, a spring for swinging the lever in one direction, and a stem connected to the lever and located in the path-of movement of the reciprocatory piston.

16'. In anengine ofthe character set forth, the combination with 'a rotar engine, of means for supplying explosive c arges thereto and igniting said charges therein, an eccentric operated by the engine, a compressing pump operated by the eccentric, and a centrifugal governor also' operated by the eccentric.

' 17. In an engine of the character set forth, 4

engine, of

the combination with a rotar explosive c arges theremeans for supplyin to and igniting sai niting means including a sparking device, an air compression pump operated by the engine, an air reservoir connected to the pump, and a delivery pipe having branches "one of which is connected to the engine for starting the same, and the other delivering to themgine adjacent to the sparking mechanism.

18. In an engine of the character set forth,

charges therein, said igthe combination with a rotary engine including a cylinder member and a rotary piston operating therein, of a charge compression pump,'a cam operated by the engine for actuating the pump, a conduit leading from the ump to the cylinder. ing evice located in the conduit, an eccentric operated by the en ine, speed governing mechanism actuated member, a sparkby the eccentric, an'air compresslon pump also actuated by the eccentric, an air reservoir connected to the pump, and a pipe leading from the reservoir and having branches, one of said branches beingL connected to the cylinder member, the ot er being connected to the conduit directly adjacent to the sparking device.

19'. In an engine of the character set forth, the combination with acylinder member, of a rotary piston operating therein, an abutment movably mounted in the'cylinder memher, a earn, a device operated by the cam and connected to the abutment, and means actuated by the exhaust for assistingin moving the abutment.

20. In an engine of the character set forth,

the combination with a cylinder membeig oi a rotary piston operating therein, a shaft, ,a I

camg-mounted on the shaft, an abutment movably mounted in the cylinder member, a I swinging'arm o )erated by the cam and connected to the a utment, a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston in the cylinder, a connection between said piston and'the abutment,"and valve controlled means for conducting the exhaust to and from the cylinder.

21. In an engine of the the com bin ation with a cylinder member and! a piston member operating therein, ofa compression pump, a conduit connecting the compression" )ump and cylinder member, a valve conti'o ling the conduit, said conduit being'at/all times open between the valve and cylinder member and means fordelivering air into said conduit between the valve and cylinder member.

'22. In an engine of the character set forth, the combination with a cylinder member and apiston ineniber operating therein, of a conlpression pump, a conduit connecting the compression pump and cylinder .member, an igniter located in the conduit between the pump and cylinder member, said conduit character,set forth,

my own, I have hereto -ll1 the prescnce'of two witnesses.

from the igniter to the cylinder member being open and means for delivering air into sald conduit contiguous to the igniter' to scavenge the conduit after the operation of the i'gniter.

23. In an engine of 'the character set forth,

the combination with a a piston member 0 pression pump,

perating therein, of a coma conduit connectin the cylinder member and compression pump and cylinder mem er, a

means for periodically operatin the valve,

an igniter located in the conduit between the valve and the cylinder member, and means for-delivering air into said conduit contig'ue due to the igniter to scavenge the conduit after the operation of the igniter.

,In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as aflixed my JAMES C. WALKER. Witnesses:

BART MOORE, CHAS. E. MOORE.

in the conduit signature, 

